Automatic circuit maker and breaker.



B, R. MULFORD'.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20, 1915.

1,178,535. Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A TTOR/VEYS B. R. MULFORD, AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 20. 1915.

1,178,535. Patented Apr. 11,1916,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: III/VENTOR BI j 2M 4 Haj/M ((7 ATTORNEYS.

BENJAMIN R. M'ULFORD, or ORANGE, TEx As.

AUTOMATTC CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER.

I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr, 11, 1916.

Application filed February 20, 1915. Serial No. 9,567.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN R. MUL- rono, a citizen 'of the United States, residing at Orange,.in the county of Orange. and

.State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Circuit Makers and Breakers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements inan automatic circuit maker and breaker.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, which will automatically and at pre-determined times, make and break electrical currents through conductors and is designed to be used chiefly in connection with electric lighting systems for the purpose'of turning the current on to and off from electric lights, but may be used for other similar purposes, as desired.

With the above and otherobjects in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, op eration and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification,

and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1, shows an isometric view of the device, as inclosed by a-suitable casing. Fig. 2, shows a side elevation of the machanism', and, Fig. 3, shows a rear view thereof, the casing in the two last mentioned figures, be ing shown in section. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the push button switch.

, Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures: the numeral 1 designates the casing, which has a clock mounted thereon. The shaft 3, has a gear connection with the clock works, but is insulated therefrom by the insulator 4, and fixed upon the rear endof .the shaft 3, is the spur gear 5, which is onehalf the circumference of and in mesh with the spur gear 6, fixed upon the shaft 7, which in turn is rotatable in the non-conducting bearings 8, 8, carried by the supports 9. 9. The shaft 3, is geared so as to rotate once every twelve hours, and the gear 6, and the shaft 7, will consequently perform one rotation every twenty four hours.

The spokes 10, 10, have their inner ends secured to the gear 6, and to their outer ends is secured the rim 11, projecting outwardly from which is the tongue 12. Secured to the upper ends of the supports 13, 13, andsuspended between the same is the annular band 14 formed of gutta percha, or some other similar insulating material and fixed to the inner side of this band are twentyfour blocks, as 15,. formed of brass or some similar material and which are insulated from one another. These blocks are secured in position by means of brass rivets 16, which are passed through the band I4, and

secured to the respective blocks. As the gear 6, and the rim 11, carried thereby, rotate, the free end/0f the tongue 12, contacts with the blocks 15, successively. Upstandleads current conductor 20, through which the electric current is fed from the source of supply.

The numeral 21, refers to a feed conductor, which enters the casing and then separates into twenty-four parts, as 22, which lead to and are'connectedwith each of the respective rivets 16.- The ordinary punch.

buttons, as 23, are provided, by means of which any or all of said twenty-four conductors, may be connected with or broken from the feed conductor 21. These punch buttons are arranged in twenty-four pairs,

as shown in Fig. 1, each pair controlling the corresponding conductor 22, a pair being provided for each hour of the twenty-four. Normally all of the conductors 22, will be disconnected from the feed conductor and no current will pass from it to the current conductor 20. If lights, for example, are desired for any particular hours of the twenty- 'fOlll; the proper buttons 23, correspondin 15, the tongue 12, the rim 11, the spoke 10,

the spur gear 6, the shaft 7 the tongue, arm

and stud 19, 18 and 17, respectively, to the current conductor 20, all of said enumerated parts being formed of material, which will conduct the electrical current. When the tongue 12, passes the blocks which have thus been connected with the feed conductor 21, the electrical current will be automatically broken. It is thus apparent that by punching the proper buttons, the device will be caused to complete an electrical circurrent'conductors, a fixed annular member formed of insulating material, a plurality of sections formed of conducting material, fastening means of conducting material securing said sections to the inner side of the annular member, said sections being insulated Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 6.

from each other, one of said conductors be ing separated into parts corresponding 1n number to the number of said sections, said parts being in contact, one with each of said fastening means, a manual means for mak ing and breaking the circuit through said respective parts, a mechanism driven by the motor mc'luding a driven shaft and bearings therefor, a large spur'wheel on said driven shaft in mesh with said spur wheel on said driving shaft, spokes on said larie spur wheel, a rim supported by said spo es and nesting within said annular member, said rim having a tongue contacting successively with said sections, a'flexible tongue on one of the said bearings in contact with the driven shaft, the other current conductor being in constant contact with said flexible tongue.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN R. MULFORD.

lVitnesses: 4

WILL LINSCOMB,

A. H. Coons.

"commissioner at Patents, 

